NAGOYA–Hobbled sekiwake Aonishiki overcame a toe injury and rebounded from a defeat on the final day to make history by winning his third Emperor’s Cup here on July 26. 

Aonishiki, 22, emerged triumphant in a stirring three-wrestler playoff after a loss left him tied at 12-3. 

The Ukrainian was promoted to the second-highest ozeki rank after the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November 2025.

But after suffering his first losing record in sumo in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March, Aonishiki was forced to completely sit out the following tournament due to an injury to his left foot.

That absence demoted him to sekiwake for Nagoya, but his 12-3 mark cleared the 10-win standard to allow a sekiwake demoted from ozeki to return to that rank.

Moreover, no wrestler who made it back to ozeki under that special rule has ever won a tournament at the same time.

Speaking to reporters on July 27, Aonishiki admitted to being full of concern throughout the Nagoya tournament, but added, “I feel I am here today because I did not give up in continuing to do my best.”

Aonishiki lost to sekiwake Atamifuji on the 15th day of the tournament, placing those two along with ozeki Kirishima in a playoff.

In their rematch, Aonishiki got a strong hold on Atamifuji’s belt and drove him out of the dohyo.

Aonishiki then defeated Kirishima to win his third Emperor’s Cup.

It took Aonishiki only 14 tournaments after entering sumo to gain promotion to ozeki for the first time.

That was the fastest achievement for someone who started from the very bottom of the sumo world since 1958 when the current six-tournament schedule a year was established.

Aonishiki also became the first ozeki in January to win the Emperor’s Cup in his debut tournament.

But in the March tournament when he was seeking to gain promotion to yokozuna, the highest rank, Aonishiki hurt his left pinky toe and suffered his first losing record.

Since the 1969 Nagoya tournament, any ozeki who suffered two straight losing records has been demoted.

But the special rule to regain the ozeki rank in the very next tournament with at least 10 wins was also added at that time.

Reflecting on the latest tournament, Aonishiki said that he had become mentally tougher and said he wanted to reach yokozuna.